Job Summary
APPRENTICESHIP ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES
The apprenticeship involves 80% studio work and 20% attending lectures and organized study. Apprentices receive mentorship, fostering personal and professional growth through industry-recognized qualifications. Be First are committed to supporting any apprenticeship through mentorship and flexible working arrangements. Applicants undertaking a level 7 apprenticeship are encouraged to apply and to outline their working requirements.
We have a unique opportunity for a talented and committed Architectural Assistant or Level 7 Architectural Apprenticeship to join our team. Early applications are encouraged for the apprenticeship opportunity as enrolment is required by 1st September 2025. The successful candidate will have a passion for design and strong communication skills. You will work closely with our experienced architects and urban designers on a variety of projects, from concept to completion.
Be First is a pioneering urban regeneration company wholly owned by the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham (LBBD). Its mission is to accelerate growth and capitalise on the borough’s position as London’s hottest investment and development opportunity.
We are a developer and property consultancy, as well as providing planning and other statutory functions for LBBD. We also work with commercial partners who share our core values of delivering high quality development which benefits local people. The financial return that we generate is reinvested back into providing key council services and more homes for local people.
We pride ourselves on delivering a socially responsible model of urban regeneration which delivers new homes and jobs for current and future communities. Our reputation for delivering at pace, attracts private capital into Barking & Dagenham, with developers and investors able to rely on the groundwork that the company has put in place to ensure certainty when working in the Borough. We are also establishing public-public and public-private partnerships alongside utilising the Council’s assets to facilitate growth.
Job Salary
£25,000 - £29,000 up to 10% pension contribution and 30 days annual leave entitlementClosing Date
August 31, 2025Job Description
The overall purpose of the role is to work within the Design Team to ensure high quality architecture, urban design and placemaking across Be First’s programme. The role will involve working on strategic visions, masterplans and feasibility studies within the borough, ensuring high quality and ambitious design proposals are embedded into Be First projects. As well as contributing to early stage design work, the responsibilities will include acting as design guardian for Be First projects. This will involve supporting the writing of project briefs, attending design team meetings, reviewing drawing packages and working with contractors.
Your role will include:
• advocate the Design Team’s ambitions to ensure excellent design standards and outcomes across strategic policy and construction projects
• support in the development of urban design and architectural concept designs for a range of sites in Barking and Dagenham that meet Be First’s development ambitions
• work alongside project leads on urban design, masterplanning and architectural projects that include site option appraisals and feasibility studies
• gain experience in monitoring technical compliance across Be First’s new build programme
• get involved in the development of design led planning policies, design codes and design guidance
• support project leads to deliver research on housing design standards, Modern Methods of Construction, sustainability and achieving sustainable, low carbon designs
• produce graphics, presentations and visual material
• Researching and developing solutions to architectural problems at masterplan and detail scale
• Researching and developing project briefs, specifying materials, inspecting products installed on site
Person Specification
Successful candidates will be expected to have the following:
• Completed a Bachelor’s degree in Architecture and be proficient in sketching and communicating, with an excellent eye for detail and design.
• Excellent design and presentation skills using a variety of media.
• A passion for design and creative problem-solving skills.
• Able to communicate effectively verbally, in writing, and compellingly through drawings.
• Enthusiastic approach to collaborative teamwork.
• Self-motivated, organized, committed to learning, reliable, and a good communicator.
• Keen desire to learn and ability to take ownership for tasks
• have a passion for urban design, architecture and sustainability
• Demonstrate a clear passion for public sector led housing delivery and placemaking
• Understanding of high quality and sustainable design
• Proficiency in Autocad, Sketchup and Adobe Creative Suite required, Revit is advantageous
• Fluent in spoken and written English
